At the second lodge—the grand one—I pinched myself. I had to, to see whether I was awake—or dreaming a Jane Austen dream. Maitland Tait, watching me closely, saw the act.
"You're quite awake," he assured me gravely.
"But—what are you?" I inquired. "Are you yourself—or Aladdin, or——"
I broke off abruptly, for the car was gliding over a bridge, and underneath was a silvery, glinting ribbon, that might, in fairy-land, pass for a river.
"Shall I stop the car and let you dabble the toe of your shoe in the water?" my guide asked.
I looked at him in bewilderment.
"I shan't be able to believe it's just water—unless you do," I explained. He had seen the look I let fall upon the shining breast of the stream.
"And I'll send Collins away."
"Of course! It's sacrilegious to let any wooden-faced human look upon—all this!"